New hat standards and hunting

[gingerthing]

What is the general guidance with wearing the old standard riding hats for hunting? I can't seem to find any guidance online as it only seems that the new PAS standard is important if competing. Presumably as many wear pateys it's not that much of an issue? Just wondered what others thoughts were?

 

[MissTyc]

I wear the safest hat I can afford for hunting and every other high speed activity. Many others choose not to so I don't think it "matters" in a social sense. I just happen to rather like my brain and luckily I am fortunate to be able to afford new hats and things like that. Having said that, if I had time to look into it and the new standards were not demonstrably safer then I expect I wouldn't worry about what it says on the label.

 

[PorkChop]

I don't think there is one!

When I used to hunt I wore a skull with velvet up to BE standard, easy to say when you can afford it, however I won't take any chances with headgear.

 

[smja]

You can wear any hat you like out hunting, no one cares. I've seen people hunting in everything from brand new hats with under standard under the sun to ancient bowlers. Personally, I wear the same jockey skull I use for BE xc.

I think the hunts near me recommend that under 16s wear competition-standard hats, but as far as I know no one's ever checked.

 

[Shay]

No-one checks - you have responsibility for your own health and safety. But the MFA and CA both encourage hunt staff to use the new Pateys which meet the higher hat standards. But if you want to hunt in a flat cap - or a lady's side saddle topper - you can. But do give a thought to the impact on your friends and family should there be an accident.

 

[Isbister]

Plenty still hunt in old Pateys.

There is always the danger to one's neck - no matter how good the helmet, I think the danger is still there. Having said that, a bang on the head is not nice and concussion is ghastly, and that is just a minor head injury. When falling, there is always the danger of being clipped by a hoof - a human skull caves in quite easily if hit from behind, and the consequences of brain damage can be life-changing.